Cop's shock Facebook postings

Exclusive by Alison Smith-Sqire, sundaymirror.co.uk 2/12/2007

PC Nestor Costa

YOB PULLS KNIFE ON POLICE IN NICK & COP PUTS SHOCK VID & COMMENTS ON FACEBOOK

A hero police officer has been accused of posting shocking videos on Facebook encouraging colleagues to give prisoners a "f****** good shoeing".

Pc Nestor Costa, who won praise earlier this year for risking his life to stop a man blowing up a block of flats, faces the sack over claims that he put two videos and inflammatory comments on another policeman's Facebook profile.

One 80-second clip on the social networking site - which has 1.3million UK users - shows a youth pulling a knife on an officer in the custody suite of a Devon police station.

In dramatic scenes, four policemen then jump on him and pin him down.

Beneath it, written under Costa's name, is the comment: "Look at this stupid c***, hope he gets a good f****** shoeing in the cells."

And, appearing to encourage colleagues, he wrote: "And remember, let's not be so soft on these c**** out there." There is no evidence that the suspect was actually assaulted.

It is also claimed that PC Costa, 31, posted another clip from the US showing an overweight woman trying to resist arrest. She also pulls a knife on the police but is eventually overpowered - leaving the knife embedded in her chest. Underneath is the comment: "Another crazy c*** wanting to have a go."

Both officers' Facebook profiles were removed when the "inappropriate comments" were highlighted.

Pc Costa, who works for Devon and Cornwall Police, has been suspended and is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Last night Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that an internal investigation has been launched.

Assistant Chief Constable Bob Pennington said: "We are aware that a video clip with inappropriate comments was posted on Facebook by a serving police officer. However, the item is no longer on public view.

"I am grateful that this incident has been brought to our attention. We are now carrying out a thorough internal investigation and appropriate action will be taken."

He added: "Devon and Cornwall Police had recently advised all staff of the high standards of behaviour expected from them whenever they are identifiable as representatives of the force using internet networking sites."

In February this year PC Costa was praised for risking his life when he and a colleague foiled an attempt to blow up a block of flats.

The pair tackled a man who was trying to heat up a car battery in a gas oven and firemen estimated it was only two minutes from exploding like a bomb.

The Facebook videos came to light after PC Costa allegedly broke a man's arm during an arrest.

Simon Wainwright, 33, claims he suffered a broken left elbow when PC Costa twisted his arm behind his back as he was arrested for being abusive to police. He claims he was just telling officers that there was a fight going on down the road.

He is now set to sue the police and decided to see if there was any information on the internet.

"I was staggered when I saw the comments apparently made by this officer and especially the level of swearing on the Facebook site," said Mr Wainwright, of Exeter.

"But after my own terrifying experience I wasn't surprised. I thought the police were supposed to be stopping violence, not inciting it."

Pc Costa is the latest policeman to be investigated over material posted on Facebook. Scotland Yard launched a probe in July after officers were filmed handcuffing each other to chairs and performing a mock striptease.

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